A Daily Diary Investigation of Discrimination and Binge Eating Among Lesbian Women

<p>Lesbian women may experience discrimination because of their gender and their sexual orientation termed sexism and heterosexism, respectively. Both sexism and heterosexism are associated with increased psychological distress and negative affect among lesbian women. Furthermore, preliminary evidence suggests that heterosexism is associated with binge eating among lesbian women. However, the relationship between discrimination and binge eating has received limited empirical examination. This study examined associations between sexism and heterosexism, negative affect, and binge eating using a daily diary methodology. Participants were recruited online through social media and LGBT organizations after completing an online eligibility survey with measures of demographics, binge eating, social isolation, and lesbian and feminist identity. A sample of thirty eligible women (i.e., 18-30 year old lesbian women who reported binge eating in the past week) completed daily measures of sexism, heterosexism, negative affect, and binge eating for 10 days. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that daily sexism was associated with daily negative affect, and, daily negative affect was associated with daily binge eating. Similarly, daily heterosexism was related to daily negative affect, and, daily negative affect was related to daily binge eating. Positive lesbian identity (i.e., identity affirmation) moderated the relationship between daily heterosexism and daily binge eating, such that, high identity affirmation strengthened the relationship between heterosexism and binge eating. Aspects of feminist identity did not moderate the relationship between daily sexism and daily binge eating. Neither social support nor social isolation moderated the relationship between daily heterosexism and daily binge eating. These results demonstrate the negative impact that heterosexism and sexism have on binge eating in daily life among lesbian women.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Mason, Tyler

Contributors dc:contributor

• Robin J. Lewis
• Michelle L. Kelley
• Kristin E. Heron
• Sheri Colbert-Ochs
• Ninoska Peterson

• Binge eating
• Daily diary
• Lesbian
• Clinical Psychology
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies
• Social Psychology

Statement dc:rights

• <p>In Copyright. URI: <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).</p>

Identifier

9781339040837

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.odu.edu:psychology_etds-1006